"It was an opportunity for long-standing musicians to invite and encourage new artists up on stage to play with them and they will have locked in memories that will last forever in their musical careers."
Mrs Tracey said audience numbers totalled around 2200 over the three days, with Saturday night's show featuring Dugan as the headline act, a big draw card. She said anecdotal evidence suggests festival-goers were primarily locals, however many travelled from around the lower North Island to attend.
Great weather also contributed to the event's success, Ms Tracey said, as did the on-site camping facilities at the showground's campground on offer for festival-goers in motor-homes or tents.
"Campers love the grounds as the setting is lovely. It's easy to find and has great access," she said.
"Even though you're just minutes out of Carterton, you feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere, with beautiful views out towards the Tararua Ranges."
Festival production manager Holly McGeorge was thrilled with the performances and enjoyed two personal highlights over the weekend, including three generations of country musicians on stage at once when Craig Adams and Dan Cosgrove joined Brendan Dugan.
Another highlight for Ms McGeorge was when Marian Burns jumped on stage and surprised a young fiddle player with a duet, before giving him a private fiddle lesson later in the day.
Another highlight was the Kidnappers Country Music Group, who brought a large team of musicians down from the Hawke's Bay and managed the walk-up programmes and took on duties as backing band.
In addition to the performers, Ms Tracey also thanked gold sponsors Trust House and the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park, silver sponsor Allflex and bronze sponsor the Wairarapa Building Society.
"Sponsors are a critical aspect of any fledgling event and we are grateful for the trust these organisations have placed in us."
The date for next year's Clareville Country Music Festival will be announced very soon.
